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2013 Spring | Natural Science & Restoration, Sustainability

EPA Removal Actions: Quick and Dirty, Yet Essential

Student(s):

Arielle Gervasi

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Kathy Parker

Partner(s):

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10

Faculty advisor(s):

David Montgomery, Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington

During my project, I assisted Kathy Parker, an EPA On-Scene Coordinator, in collecting documentation for Region 10 removal actions (short-term hazardous material cleanup responses). In the process, I collected and analyzed the logistics of each action which included the site, contaminant, and industry that released it. Looking at the trends in removal actions over the time period of 1996-2013 helped the Emergency Response (ER) team focus on key issues. I further researched and suggested ways that they could quantify the value of the ER program financially as well as through risk reduction.